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Tomb of ancient gold worker discovered on a Nile island

The tomb of an ancient gold worker named Khnummose was discovered at Sai Island, on Nile River in Northern Sudan. The tomb dates back 3400 years.

Ancient tomb of Khnummose (by Julia Budka)

The island was once a part of a land called Nubia, which was under Egyptian control 3400 years ago. Egyptians built a settlement and a gold mine on Sai Island, and the dead were buried on site within tombs such as the discovered one. The discovered tomb contained multiple chambers and was the burial place of Egyptians who worked in the local gold production. The discovery of the tomb was made in 2015, but it was revealed only recently due to the need to finish the excavations of the site.

Finds from the tomb (by Julia Budka)

Archaeologists discovered scarabs, ceramic vessels, a gold ring, remains of gold funerary masks worn by the deceased, and a small stone sculpture known as a ushabti. Some of the artefacts bore Egyptian hieroglyphic inscriptions that revealed the tomb was originally created for a man named “Khnummose”, who was a “master gold worker.” His remains were found next to those of a woman who may have been his wife. Some of the other people found in tomb may have been relatives of Khnummose, the researchers said, adding that they planned to conduct DNA analyses of the remains.

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